Yinreng didn't care too much about having a prince. Whether it was a princess or a prince, he liked any child Tong Wanyan bore for him.
Most importantly, he hoped that Tong Wanyan could safely get through the ten months of pregnancy.
The true meaning of the saying "A woman's pregnancy is like stepping into the gates of hell" was clearer to Yinreng than anyone else.
He was born without his mother; his life was bought with his mother's life.
Yinreng held Tong Wanyan in his arms, gently stroking her slightly protruding belly.
"Xiao Yan, you don't need to touch needles and thread, and you don't need to worry about the storms outside. Just happily play with our children, and I'll take care of everything else for you."
"Xiao Yan, you should eat less. I once read in a medical book that a woman's pregnancy doesn't show much in the first three months. What you have now is just flesh!"
Yinreng, being straightforward, kept a close eye on Tong Wanyan's every move.
Tong Wanyan's forehead veins bulged, she snorted, and pushed the person away coquettishly, angrily heading back to her room.
Yinreng dared not let this little tyrant go back in a huff, as anger would harm his health.
"Stop fooling around, I'll carry you back. Actually, I like it when Xiao Yan gains weight."
Yinreng decisively picked the person up and steadily carried him back to the South Courtyard.
Then, he personally wiped her face and undressed her, and then lay down with her in bed to fall asleep.
The two went from being shocked to overjoyed, and it took them quite a while to calm down. Now that they've calmed down, it's time for them to rest.
Xia Zhu stood guard outside the door, occasionally exchanging glances with De Shun.
Laughter echoed from inside the room; it was unclear what sweet dreams the two masters were having, as they were even laughing together.
Soetu personally delivered the thousand-year-old ginseng to Yuqing Palace. Before he could even say a few words to Yinreng, he watched helplessly as the ginseng was taken away and disappeared from sight.
"Thank you for your concern for the Imperial Noble Consort, Uncle. Don't worry, I'm here to help. The Imperial Noble Consort will be fine," Yinreng said.
Soetu moved his lips, as if to say he didn't care about the Imperial Noble Consort's life. He said the ginseng was given to please Emperor Kangxi, with no other intention.
In high spirits, Yinreng pulled Suo'etu aside, blocking his attempts to explain: "My concubine was found to be pregnant yesterday, and I am very happy!"
"Congratulations, Your Highness! With an heir, your position as Crown Prince will be even more secure. I hope that your concubine will give birth to the eldest grandson of the Emperor; that would be a great joy!" Soetu was genuinely happy for Yinreng.
They are in the same boat; if Yinreng is well, the Hesheli clan will be even better off!
Staring at the gentle smile in Yinreng's eyes, Suo'etu recalled the words he hadn't finished saying last time.
"Crown Prince..."
"Uncle, the concubine has awakened. I must accompany her to Chengqian Palace to visit the Imperial Noble Consort, so I cannot keep you any longer. If there is nothing urgent, I will enjoy a drink with you another time!"
Once again, Suo'etu was abandoned by Yinreng. Once was enough, and he gradually got used to Yinreng's abandonment.
When Yinreng led Tong Wanyan to Chengqian Palace, they happened to bump into Yinzhen, who had come to visit the Imperial Noble Consort.
Yinzhen had never met Tong Wanyan, but he could roughly guess her identity by looking at her clothes.
"Greetings, Your Highness, and Consort Tong." Yinzhen dared not presume before Tong Wanyan.
Tong Wanyan gave a slight bow and avoided Yinzhen's greeting.
"I hope Fourth Prince is well," Tong Wanyan replied in return.
After completing the proper etiquette, Yinzhen bowed deeply to Yinreng again at the palace gate: "Second Brother Crown Prince, Mother's illness this time has troubled you and Consort Yinreng. I haven't had a chance to formally thank you until now. Thank you very much."
As he said this, his voice choked with emotion, and his eyes reddened.
Yinreng, displaying the demeanor of an elder brother, helped him up and said with pity, "We are brothers. You are so filial to the Imperial Noble Consort. How could I stand idly by? It was just a small favor. Is it something you should remember every day?"
Yinzhen said seriously, "I've never seen anyone else treat me like this. I'll remember your kindness, Second Brother. When I'm able to go to court and do real work, I'll definitely be your right-hand man."
Yinreng waved his hand dismissively, chuckling as he patted his half-shaved head: "We'll talk about that when you're older. For now, just enjoy the care of Father Emperor, Imperial Concubine, and me."
Tong Wanyan inwardly scoffed, expressing her disdain for Yinreng's hypocrisy.
When the Imperial Noble Consort saw her son, she was happier than if she had drunk two bowls of medicine.
Despite her weakness, she hurriedly got up from the chair, took Yinzhen's hand, and walked into the house.
Yinreng and Tong Wanyan walked behind, and Tong Wanyan clearly saw the envy in his eyes.
A father's love can never replace a mother's love, and Yinreng's life was also bitter.
Taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, Tong Wanyan quickly squeezed Yinreng's hand and then let go.
Yinreng turned to look at her in confusion. She smiled brightly at him, her eyes seemingly filled with fragments of sunlight, a sight that warmed his heart.
“I’m used to it, it’s alright.” Yinreng whispered in Tong Wanyan’s ear, deliberately falling a few steps behind.
He understood that she cared about him, and he was very happy.
The Imperial Noble Consort took Yinzhen's hand and examined him carefully.
Having lived in the palace for so many years, she had seen far too many instances of people climbing the social ladder and stepping on those below them. It was precisely because of this that she was grateful to Yinreng for taking care of Yinzhen, but also worried that after she was gone, those servants would take advantage of her and secretly bully Yinzhen.
Ever since his father, the Emperor, told him that Yinzhen was unpredictable, he always kept his thoughts to himself, which made people feel sorry for him.
"After seeing the Fourth Prince, the Imperial Noble Consort's complexion improved considerably. The Prince even said I was your magic potion, but now it's clear that the Fourth Prince is the real remedy." Tong Wanyan was exceptionally lively in front of the Imperial Noble Consort.
A charming little face came close to hers, and the words that came out of her mouth were as sweet as honey, making the Imperial Noble Consort's features even more gentle.
Yinzhen glanced at Tong Wanyan with surprise, somewhat taken aback by the Imperial Noble Consort's closeness to her.
Tong Wanyan felt his gaze, smiled at him with dignified politeness, and then continued to fawn over the Imperial Noble Consort.
"Your Highness, this is a thousand-year-old ginseng that my master specially asked Lord Suo'etu to find for you. It is said that ginseng that has taken on a human shape has acquired immortal energy. You should send this to the Imperial Hospital for a checkup. Who knows, they might be able to make an elixir that will not only cure all diseases but also prolong life and beautify the skin."
Tong Wanyan can make even a stone look like a flower with her small mouth.
Yinreng sat beside her, quietly watching her act silly, his eyes full of doting affection.
The Imperial Noble Consort took the box in surprise, staring at the pure white ginseng, speechless with astonishment.
"Consort, is this true?" Yinzhen asked incredulously.
He thought the Imperial Noble Consort's condition was hopeless, but unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better.
The Imperial Noble Consort frowned and rebuked Yinzhen: "Yinzhen!"
"Consort, I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it, I'm just a little excited." Yinzhen was indeed excited, his hands were trembling.
A twelve-year-old child, disliked by his birth mother, and his only loving adoptive mother, is terminally ill and about to pass away. Anyone in this situation would be terrified.
Tong Wanyan smiled warmly: "I understand the Fourth Prince's filial piety towards the Imperial Noble Consort. It's alright."
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